STUDENTS are cashing in on a series of bargain basement courses as part of a national initiative.

Northallerton College is offering the chance to take courses tailored to each individual's needs for a nominal £10 fee, ranging from 30 minutes to 30 hours.

The college launched the scheme two months ago as a pilot project and is now one of about 250 centres nationwide forming part of the UK Online initiative, announced last week.

All the courses involve computer learning or learning how to use computers, and range from customer care to health and safety.

College training services manager Dr Graham Best said: "It's personalised study, tailored to suit the individual.

"The courses will benefit people who have a computer, but this is not a requirement. We have computers here at the college and they are accessible most of the day and evening."

Alan Nicholson, 70, who was the first student to enrol, said: "It's opening up a whole new world to people who otherwise would be sitting doing nothing."

For more information on the courses, call (01609) 780505.